A few days earlier, Mulhern announced his intention to resign from the fund in August. In addition to healthcare coverage, he is already receiving a $65,000 pension from the T as well as $86,000 in deferred compensation. The Fox 25 report revealed a further $167,000 in a retirement account set up during his time at the pension fund.

The takeaway is clear: without transparency, disastrous policies and abuse of taxpayer money can go on unchecked for decades.

Last fiscal year the MBTA spent on wages and benefits 50 percent more than it raised from its core activity – transportation. Labor expenses were just short of $900 million. Transit revenues were about $600 million. Overall, labor costs accounted for 44% of all operating expenses.

As we have said time and time again, the MBTA’s labor costs do not compare favorably with peer transit authorities and other agencies in the commonwealth. The reasons for that are complex, but the root cause of them all is clear: the public was largely kept in the dark about the MBTA’s labor dealings.

We urge the Fiscal Management and Control Board to vote without delay and make public:

The pension agreements between the MBTA and its transit and police unions.

The terms of the deferred compensation plans for MBTA executives.

The trust agreements for the MBTA’s retirement funds.

The labor contracts between the MBTA and its police and transit unions.

The model contract for nonunion employees.

These are all public records which should be made available on the MBTA’s website. It is more than reasonable to do this within 15 business days.

Pioneer Institute believes that Massachusetts taxpayers deserve a thorough account of how tax dollars are spent and how decisions are made. We also believe that this is an important part of ensuring that thousands of current and future T retirees have a pension that they can count on.